Ionomer compositions and methods of making and using same

Abstract

A method comprising contacting at least one metal salt of an organic acid with at least one aromatic compound in a reaction zone under conditions suitable for the formation of a polymer, wherein the metal salt of an organic acid comprises a metal and at least one unsaturated organic acid moiety. A composition comprising polystyrene and a metal salt of cinnamic acid. An article made from a composition comprising polystyrene and a metal salt of cinnamic acid. A composition comprising polystyrene and a salt of a fatty acid. An article made from a composition comprising polystyrene and a salt of a fatty acid.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An article comprising a composition, wherein the composition comprises a copolymer, wherein the copolymer is a copolymer of an aromatic compound and a metal salt of an organic acid, wherein the metal salt of the organic acid has at least one unsaturated organic acid moiety, wherein the aromatic compound is present in an amount of from 1 weight percent to 99.9 weight percent based on a total weight of the composition, and wherein the metal salt of the organic acid is present in an amount of from 200 ppm to 2000 ppm based on the total weight of the composition, wherein the article is a sheet or molded article. 
     
     
       2. The article of  claim 1 , wherein the organic acid comprises benzoic acid, crotonic acid, itaconic acid, phenylcinnamic acid, α-methylcinnamic acid, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       3. The article of  claim 1 , wherein the organic acid comprises a styrene derivative. 
     
     
       4. The article of  claim 3 , wherein the styrene derivative comprises a carboxylic acid moiety.